A Style Mosaic - 2013

2013 has been one of the most exciting years for me so far. And starting a blog has had a lot to do with that. I am so glad that I was inspired to create this, one bored June day. It has allowed me to write (one of my passions) on a regular bases, explore the world of photography and make new connections with interesting people. A Style Mosaic is only 7 months old, but in this time I have shared a lot on this tiny space on the web. We (my blog and I) have gone to America and back, seen a few trips to London, and embarked on countless day trips to dainty places. Looking forward to 2014, I hope to continue to post content on here, however an eventful year exam-wise may mean posts are slightly sparse. Please feel free to email me with any post requests or questions at a.style.mosaic@gmail.com. I promise to stick with it though! Even if it does mean late nights of blogging. Thank you to all who have read my blog even once, it excites me far to much when I get page views. I hope you all have a very happy new year and wish you the best for 2014.

xo

Boxing-day blues Hot Chocolate

 

    After having watched the Polar Express for about the 18294027204750376th time, I found myself in the mood for Hot Chocolate. What a welcome mood that is. It just so happened to also be the perfect thing to help me combat the Boxing-day blues, which I don't suffer too badly from. I actually quite enjoy Boxing-day. I love the left-overs, discovering presents you didn't even know you had and, in my case, watching all the Christmas movies you didn't have time for earlier in the month. But I know that Boxing-day is a bit of a let down for many. So I have come to your rescue, bearing a dangerous and very more-ish mug of steaming hot chocolate. Or maybe just the recipe for you to brew up yourself. Enjoy!

What you will need:

Hot Chocolate powder (I like Bournville best)

Spices

Warm milk

Water

A Christmassy mug

Nutella

Mini marshmallows

Add a heaped teaspoon of cocoa powder into your Christmas mug. I am cheating and using a Chai Latte powder that I got at the whole foods market, but any mixed spice will do. Add the same amount of mixed spice.

Fill the mug up, half with hot water, half warm milk.

Stir in as much nutella as the mug will hold, without eating it all yourself.

Add mini marshmallows, chocolate buttons or any other little treats.

Drink away :)

xo

It's begining to look alot like Christmas...

My excitement for Christmas tends to grow from about February. So now that the countdown is less than a week, I am constantly on the verge of an excitable breakdown. I bought this dress a few weeks ago to go to an awards ceremony with my good friends. I didn't realize how Christmasy it was until it came, and loved it so much, thought it deserved it's own post. Paired with this gorgeous Fiorelli purse given to me by the lovely Rosa, I think these two make the perfect outfit for any festive parties at this time.

***

Christmas trees are possibly my favourite things ever. Okay, so I say that about almost everything, but really, I love them loads. And decorating is one of the best parts of bringing the live tree into the house. I love our vast collection of decorations that we have accumulated over many years. Each ornament has sentimental or comedic meaning. The glitter covered pin cones made at age 5 are still hung proudly beside the expensive glass ones. Fairylights draped all over the tree in a big twinkling mass. At the end of it all, our tree is literally growing under the weight of festive trinkets. And I love it.

Dress- Topshop    Necklace- River Island    Bag- Fiorelli

xo

Haim

 First of all, sorry for the lack of posts. I am excuse-less. But I promise to make a habit of posting regularly in 2014. The other night me and my good friends Alice and Mara queued in the cold (after having stuffed our faces at a lovely little tapas bar) to see our favourite sister trio band. Haim. If you have been reading my blog for a while now, then you'll know how much I love Haim. I have mentioned them before in glowing words, so as not to repeat and embarrass myself I will let you drool over them here.

Este Haim's 'Baseface' was a show in itself.

xo

Christmas tunes

Christmas music is one of my favourite things about this time of year. I love listening to Bing Crosby and Frank Sinatra whilst wrapping presents and eating (all the) mince pies. I always get excited for modern twists on old christmas songs too. I have been discovering a lot of them lately, and wanted to share my absolute favourites with you.

 My favourite Christmas albums include:

Michael Buble- Christmas                     Loreena Mckenneitt- Midwinter night's dream

Mindy Gledhill: Winter Moon                      Bing Crosby: Merry Christmas  

 

I had to share with you my favourite Christmas music video too. The ever tacky festive 'All I want for Christmas is you'.

xo

A Festive Makeup Tutorial

So I realise that posting about Christmas on the first of December is a bit eager, but i can't help myself. The excitement is just too much. During the festive period, I love experimenting more with my makeup. It's a great excuse to go crazy with glitter and Christmassy colours:) I thought that posting a Christmas makeup tutorial early on, may be a good idea as it isn't just on the 25th of December people like to dress up. Christmas parties come in abundance, and it is nice to have a go to makeup look. All the products I use in this tutorial are inter-changeable with similar ones.

Start by applying whatever face makeup you use daily and prime your eyelids with either a primer potion or a foundation. I am now using a light gold colour from a Clinique palate to start with an even base.

Now with the same brush, I applied 'Ego' by Mac on the outer-third of my eyelid all the way up to the crease. It is a gorgeous green shade and look great on all eye colours.

 With a fluffy eyeshadow brush, I used a gorgeous deep green pigment by Mac in a wind-screen wiper motion across my crease. This adds depth to the eye and helps give the look a 'smokey' effect. Then apply some of your favourite kohl eyeliner to the upper lashline. Don't worry if it is a rough line as you should smudge it out towards the end of your eye.

Using the same fluffy brush, take a shimmery silver colour (I'm using Bourjois eyeshadow in '25 Argent'), and use it to blend out the harsh line near the crease and also as a highlight for the corner of your eye. Curl your lashes before applying your favourite mascara. Mine of the moment is Max Factors False Lash Effect.

For the lips, I like to use a burgundy Yves Rocher lipstick and buff it into my lips to create a stain. On top of that I apply a Butter London Lipgloss from the Christmas collection called West End Wonderland. This Lipgloss collection is easily my favourite.

The finished look! Thankyou for reading. I hope you all have a lovely time at any festive events you and your makeup go to.

xo

A/W '13 Musthaves #2: Moody Blooms

If you aren't already aware, I have started a small series of posts here one my blog, where I share with you the Musthave trends for this season. My first post feature the 'Boyfriend' jacket, you can read it here. This post however is not on a item, but a print. 'Moody Blooms', a trend I adore. It can be hard to pull off florals in the winter, as it is seen as more of a S/S look. Not now. Take a look at my favourite pieces here:

From left to right:

Floral leggings- Zara      Pinafore- Asos       Satchel- Cloggs

Floral Top- Topshop    Dress- Dahlia       Jumpsuit- Topshop

xo

5 Questions with... Jane Gowans Jewellery

Jewellery design has always been something that has fascinated me. I love how something so seemingly simple, can have such a dramatic affect on a photograph or outfit. I admire those who are talented at it too. Especially since I don't appear to bear such creative attributes. At all. However Jane Gowans certainly does. I have been a fan of her work since I saw one of her pieces in i-D magazine, and was overjoyed when she agreed to do an interview with me. Here it is:

Have you always wanted to be a Jeweller?

No. I have always wanted to work in a creative career but it wasn't until I started the General Course at Duncan of Jordanstone that I realised that I wanted to work in a tactile and 3 dimensional discipline- Jewellery seemed to be the logical choice.

Is there any particular moment in your career that you are most proud of?

I am still extremely proud to have made the earrings on Emeli Sande's album cover, gained Harvey Nichols as a stockist and been named as one of the jewellery industries Hot 100.

 

 

 Wow. That's amazing. Where do you tend to gain inspiration for your Designs?

  My inspiration comes from everyday places. Whether it is the humble matchstick, my local landscape or wildlife. It is my aim to make the ordinary into the extraordinary. I transform my inspirations into precious metal pieces that can be cherished for a lifetime.

A lot of your jewellery has been showcased in magazines and used for shoots. How does it feel to have your work so valued and recognized?

It is always lovely to see my pieces being styled by other people and it is a huge boost to pick up a publication and see your hard work featured in its pages.

Any advice for aspiring Jewelers and Designers?

Don't give up. You can achieve anything you want to.

Check out Jane's work here.

xo

Wishing I was Made In Chelsea

London is with out a doubt one of my favourite cities. And within London, Chelsea (and South Kensington) is where I find myself spending the majority of my time. I can't seem to stay away from the endless supply of little boutique shops and cafes. There seems to be something dainty and new round every corner and I just love getting to explore it all. There is of course the quiet hope that I will bump into one of the Made In Chelsea crew during my ventures, but it is yet to happen *cries*. Maybe I will just move here instead....;)

***

I liked doing this exploring wearing this gorgeous denim smock dress found at Asos. It was perfect as it kept me warm and stylish on this crisp, Autumnal morning. I have to admit, I absolutely love smock dresses. While not being the most 'form flattering' they are endlessly comfy and cosy, for a dress. The type of denim used in this one hangs nicely too. The shoes worn in this post are a recent purchase of mine. Bought originally as a slight joke, they have actually become very frequent members of my daily outfits. I felt somewhat silly at first, as I saw a three year old with a Peppa pig balloon wearing matching ones on their first outing. However they have given many passers-by smiles, possibly of pity but oh well. You have to get your kicks from somewhere.

Dress- Asos   Jacket- Forever 21   Scarf- Black   Shoes- Asos (similar)

xo

A/W '13 Musthave #1: The boyfriend coat

As I'm sure I have mentioned far too many times on this blog, Autumn and Winter are definitely my favourite seasons as far as fashion is concerned. I love nothing better than wrapping up in the biggest, cosiest coat around and prancing about like some oversized teddy bear. So with all this in mind, I thought I would start a small series of posts here on my blog, were I share with you my favourite  'A/W trends'. And so to start it all of, my number one fashion trend this A/W, the oversized or boyfriend coat.

From left to right:

1.pink, fluffy boyfriend coat- Topshop   2.Grey Blurr coat- Warehouse   3.Mohair oval coat- Topshop 

4.Textured green coat-Urban Outfitters  5. Cotton knit long coat- Persunmal   6.Oversized flecked coat- Urban Outfitters

xo